Interbike cancels 2019 Reno-Tahoe show, reassessing future

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Emerald Expositions announced Thursday that it is canceling the 2019 Interbike show in Reno as it reassesses the future of the bicycle trade show.

The trade show operator says it will now look at alternative plans for 2020 and beyond, including the launch of cycling-related events or collaborations as part of its other successful, multi-sport trade shows.

“The past year has been difficult for the U.S. bicycle market,” said Darrell Denny, executive vice president of Emerald Expositions’ Sports Group. “The substantial increase in tariffs on bike-related imports during 2018, and announced for 2019, is compounding these challenges.”

The cancellation of the 2019 event has led to the departures of Interbike show director Justin Gottlieb, sales director Andrea Klinger, art director Andy Buckner and marketing manager Jack Morrissey.

Emerald Expositions says it will consult with dealers, brands, distributors and other industry representatives in the coming months about potential locations as well as timing for Interbike.

“We are rethinking how to best serve the cycling industry,” Denny said. “Our goal is to develop and deliver thoughtful solutions which provide strong returns on investment for all industry participants.”

Interbike was considered a big coup for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority when it landed the 2018 trade show back in August 2017 amid stiff competition. At its peak, Interbike would have been the biggest show to come to Reno. The convention reported around 23,000 attendees as recently as 2015. Those numbers would top the attendance for the Safari Club International convention, which is the biggest trade show to come to Reno to date.

But the show has experienced challenges in recent years, including declining attendance tied to challenges within the cycling industry. The move to Reno from its longtime home of Las Vegas was part of efforts to freshen up Interbike. The 2018 show, for example, also featured a free-ride festival at Northstar California Resort in Tahoe, the first time that a portion of the trade show was made available to the public.

Based on today’s announcement, Interbike would likely be a more modest event should it return.